As of this week, a new version of the vaccine against the papillomavirus (HPV) is now available in France. Gardasil 9, version 2.0 of an existing vaccine, has been distributed up to 42 million doses across 20 different countries. It is now attacking 9 strains of the papillomavirus, against 4 for the previous vaccine. It would protect against 90% of cervical cancers linked to HPV.
An effective vaccine against cervical cancer
While the vaccine had received European marketing authorization in 2015, a 2017 study in the specialist journal The Lancet had confirmed its effectiveness in preventing the onset of cervical cancer. Since 2012, it has also been recommended by the High Council of Public Health to vaccinate young girls aged 11 to 14. However, in France, only 20% of 15-year-old adolescent girls were immunized in 2015 for a dose of regulatory vaccine, according to the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS).
Improve prevention
Each year, 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, responsible for more than 1,000 deaths. Avenues are being considered to improve prevention. Last March, the Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn announced the coverage of 100% screening for cervical cancer: for women who have not had a smear for 3 years, a free smear will be covered. by Social Security Previously, this coverage was only 70%.
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